Hannah Joy on Board of Health
This year's legislative session produced a bill on behalf of the governor's office, HB 1152, that would change the current makeup of health districts. Although this bill has been significantly neutered compared to its original bill, it still violates the most basic democratic principles of our country.
There are currently 35 decentralized local health jurisdictions in Washington state. The makeup of each BOH depends if it is a home rule county or not. In the instance of Skamania County, we are not and so our BOH is made up of our three elected County commissioners.
The board can expand itself, according to current laws, but must not have a majority of un elected officials. The board must also appoint a local health officer “who must be an experienced physician or osteopathic physician who has a Master of Public Health degree or equivalent.”